question about relationship between fell and rise

[FossilHunter]

Does ordering a kilt with a higher rise change the position of the fell if the measurements of the wearer stay the same?

For instance, my current kilt has a rise to the navel so I wonder if I have a full rise kilt made from the same maker, will the fell move at all? I’m worried about my jackets covering the fell on the new kilt.

[Steve Ashton]

Maybe this little model will help to visualize the parts of a kit.



The Fell Area is defined as the part that is tapered and sewn down in the back of the kilt.
The Fell Area is from the crest of the hips and butt up to the center of the top strap.

Above the top strap is the Rise. This area is not tapered and flares outward to go over the lower ribs in a Traditional kilt.

Below the Fell Area are the pleats. They are from the crest of the hips and butt down to the top of the knee cap.
As there is a bone in the thigh the length of you body from the hips to the knee cannot change so the pleated part of a kilt is always the same.

If you wear your kilt lower, at the navel, the only part that changes is the length of the Fell Area.

[FossilHunter]

Maybe this little model will help to visualize the parts of a kit.



The Fell Area is defined as the part that is tapered and sewn down in the back of the kilt.
The Fell Area is from the crest of the hips and butt up to the center of the top strap.

Above the top strap is the Rise. This area is not tapered and flares outward to go over the lower ribs in a Traditional kilt.

Below the Fell Area are the pleats. They are from the crest of the hips and butt down to the top of the knee cap.
As there is a bone in the thigh the length of you body from the hips to the knee cannot change so the pleated part of a kilt is always the same.

If you wear your kilt lower, at the navel, the only part that changes is the length of the Fell Area.

I guess I am confusing terms. I meant the bottom of the fell so my jackets don’t interfere with the pleats but if I understand what you are saying, it sounds like that doesn’t change at all regardless of where the rise is.

[Steve Ashton]

Here is a traditional kilt showing the Rise above the top strap.



And three kilts that fit the same person, (me) perfectly.



On the left is an actual Royal Regt. kilt. This kilt has a 3" Rise The top of the Fell Area is at the natural waist or just below the ribs.

The center kilt is my Tewksbury traditional kilt. This kilt has a 2" Rise and the top strap also cinches into the natural waist.

On the Right is what is called a Mid-Rise kilt although that is actually an incorrect term when it comes to kilts.
This kilt has only a 1" Rise above the top strap.

You can see that these three kilts are very different in total length.

The bottom of the Fell Area is exactly the same and the hem of all three come to the top of the Knee Cap. So the pleated area are the same on all three.

Other than the difference in the Rise above the top strap the difference between the three is the length of the Fell Area.

[FossilHunter]

Thank you Steve for the great explanation!